BIBHITAKI - Terminalia belerica - Combretaceae
BIBHITAKI is " one who keeps you away from disease ".
Part used : Fruit
Energetics :
- Rasa (taste) : Astringent, Sweet
- Virya (action) : Heating
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect) : Sweet
- Guna (quality) : Dry, Light
Doshas : VPK= Balances all three dosha. Aggravates vata in excess.
Dhatu (tissue) : Plasma, Muscle, Bone
Srota (channel) : Digestive, Respiratory, Nervous, Excretory
Actions :
Expectorant, bronchodilator, astringent, laxative, anthelmintic, lithotropic, tonic.
Bibhitaki primarily supports the healthy formation of three bodily tissues nutrient plasma (Rasa Dhatu), muscle (Mamsa Dhatu) and bone (Asth Dhatu).
It is most popular Ayurvedic formula known as digest tone, which aids digestion and nourishes all the bodily tissues (the Dhatus).
Rejuvenative (rasayana) to lungs, benefits the eyes, good for the hair, improves the quality of the throat, benefits breathing problems, aids purgation.
Indications :
LUNGS : Asthma, bronchitis, cough, laryngitis with high kapha.
Where there is copious, white or clear phlegm Bibhitaki can help to clear and dry this congestion. Also used to soothe a sore throat- mixed with honey and used as a gargle.
HEAD : It has a particular affinity for the upper body and head clearing congestion from the eyes, ears, nose and throat. Also indicated for helping to maintain hair growth.
GIT : Diarrhoea, colitis, crohn's, intestinal inflammation, parasites- pitta/kapha problems. It has a dual action of being both astringent and laxative.
URINE : Bladder stones, cloudy urine. It has the ability to clear all kapha accumulations.
NERVES : Insomnia- its astgringent nature can hold a rising vata down in its site of the lower abdomen.
It is a specific rasayana for kapha and kapha sites: throat, lungs, eyes and hair.
It astringes the mucus membranes whilst stimulating movement.
It clears kapha and ama from urinary, digestive and respiratory systems.
It is heating but does not aggravate pitta. The astringency can aggravate vata.
Alcoholic extract is also a cholagogue.
Ripe fruit is astringent and unripe is more laxative.
This is its prabhava or unique action : even though it is astringent it is also a laxative.
Use with honey to clear kapha. Very good for sore throats.
Contraindications :
- High vata
- Dry symptoms
Dosage :
1g - 5g per day
1/2 teaspoon before breakfast and after diner mixed with warm water.
Composition :
Terminalia belerica's fruit in powder.
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